Device for administering or ingesting fluid or powder-type substances in addition to a replacement element for said device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for administering or ingesting fluids or powder-type substances (S) for a person, especially medical substances and/or food for children. Said device comprises a receiving unit ( 2 ) for receiving the substance(s) which are to be administered and a discharge unit ( 4 ) which is connected to the receiving unit ( 2 ) and which has a discharge opening ( 8 ) for discharging the substance (S) to the individual. Said device ( 1 ) comprises, at least in parts, an outer form which is not functionally related to the administration. The invention also relates to replacement elements for said device, in addition to the use of said device for administering medicaments and/or food for children.

The invention is relative to a device for administering or for ingestingfluid or powdery substances to a person, especially medical substancesand/or food to children.

The administration or receiving of fluid substances can take place inmany ways. For example, for the oral administration of liquid medicinescustomary household spoons or measuring cups are used. These devices areof a very functional nature. In the case of bitter-tasting substancessuch as, e.g., cod-liver oil or medicines it is frequently difficult forthe parent or the medical personnel to get the child to be supplied totake the medicine. Even medicines or injections in gaseous or aerosolform have the same difficulties. An administration method that doesjustice to the child and is pedagogically valuable is lacking in thisregard. Even the feeding of small children with, e.g., pap or otherfoodstuffs is often very difficult, which can have causes of variousnatures.

The present invention has the problem of improving with simple means theadministration of fluids or powdery substances to a person, especiallyto children.

This problem is solved in that the device of the initially cited typecomprises a receiving unit for receiving the substance to beadministered and a dispensing unit connected to the receiving unit whichdispensing unit comprises a dispensing opening for dispensing thesubstance to the person, which device has at least in parts an outerform not directly functionally related to the administration.

The receiving unit can receive the substance either directly orindirectly. This means for the latter instance that the receiving unitcan also receive an insert or a container for receiving the substance oralso receive an insert for receiving a container with a substancecontained in it.

A device is made available by means of the combination of the inventionof the at least in parts not directly functionally designed,three-dimensional design of the device with a receiving unit and adispensing unit connected to the latter, which device is ideally suitedfor administering in particular pharmaceutical products in liquid,gaseous and/or powdery or aerosol form. When designing the device with ashape that is attractive in particular to children, an emotional bond ofthe child to the device can be achieved in that the child does notperceive the device to be particularly purposeful, that is, that it isnot directly associated with the administration of the substance thatmight not taste very good to him, which lowers the inhibition thresholdand the resistance to ingesting this substance or this food.

As an alternative to an oral administration of the substance the devicecan also be used for injections, e.g., insulin or vaccines. In thisinstance it is advantageous if an injection device is present in thevicinity of the dispensing opening for injecting the substance with aneedle or by overpressure.

It is especially advantageous to design the device at least in parts tohave a shape attractive for children. An example of this is a design inthe form of an animal. Small children in particular feel strongly drawnto certain animal figures, e.g., elephants, bears, giraffes and monkeys.It is therefore purposeful to select a shape stemming from the animalworld. In the alternative, the figure of a comic figure or of a fantasycreature can be used, e.g., a known figure such as Mickey Mouse, DonaldDuck, teletubbies or the like. Shapes in the form of pieces of fruit,model cars, etc. are also possible.

A simple administration of the questionable substance is facilitated ifthe shape has design elements that make it easier to grasp and hold thedevice. In an especially preferred embodiment the extremities and/orother body parts of the animal, comic figure or fantasy creature canserve for this. E.g., when using an animal it can be grasped by two pawsor on its neck area by the grownup or even by the child himself.

It is especially preferable if the dispensing opening is designed to beintroduced into the mouth of the person concerned. Especially in thecase of children the direct contact with the dispensing opening can helpovercome inhibition thresholds. If the lips of the child can surroundthe dispensing opening, on the one hand an advantageous suction reflexcan be utilized and on the other hand a clean, drop-free administrationis possible. For example, the dispensing opening can be designed as thetrunk of an elephant or as an animal snout. However, even when designingthe device of the invention for injection the dispensing opening can beformed from a body part of an animal, comic figure or fantasy creaturein order to reduce the fear of the child regarding the injection.

It is especially preferred if openings for dispensing the substance onthe one hand and for receiving and introducing the substance, an insertand/or a container into the receiving unit are not identical. Thisdesign facilitates the manipulation since an insert and/or a containercan be introduced into the receiving unit, e.g., via a relatively widereceiving opening in a simple manner whereas the administration can takeplace via a narrow dispensing opening. A simpler and more precise dosingof the substance to be administered can also be achieved by an adult inthis instance, as will be explained in detail further below. On theother hand the variant with identical receiving and dispensing openingsis on the whole simpler to manufacture.

It is preferable if the receiving unit or the dispensing unit andespecially preferable if both units are substantially not visible fromthe outside in order that the functional aspect recedes far behind thevisual and emotional aspect and the device tends to be viewed as a toyrather than a dispensing device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the receiving unit andthe dispensing unit are designed in one piece and thus are particularlyeasy to manufacture. Also, this prevents deposits from forming onconnection points which would otherwise be present between the twounits.

Alternatively, the two units are designed as independent parts that canpreferably be non-positively connected to each other, especially with aclamp-, plug-, screw- or bayonet connection. Thus, given the appropriatedesign of the remaining device parts, the two units can be separatedfrom one another, if necessary, and replaced either individually or atthe same time, e.g., in the case of damage, excessive contamination,etc. without having to discard the entire device.

A first insert can also be inserted into the receiving unit, whichinsert can receive the substance to be administered or a containercontaining the substance. Also, a second insert can be inserted into thedispensing unit through which insert the substance can pass to thedispensing opening. In these embodiments the receiving unit and thedispensing unit are preferably permanently integrated into the devicewhereas the first and the second inserts are replaceable and thusfacilitate the managing of the device. For example, different insertscan be used for different substances to be administered. If the insertor inserts need to be cleaned, it is not absolutely necessary to cleanthe entire device. Even if the first and/or the second insert is/aredamaged, only they need to be replaced.

Preferably the first and the second insert can be connectednon-positively to one another, especially by a clamp-, plug-, screw- orbayonet connection.

Alternatively, the first and the second inserts are designed in onepiece so that they can be inserted and removed jointly into thereceiving unit and the dispensing unit.

It is especially preferable if the receiving unit and the dispensingunit are connected positively and non-positively by a plasticsurrounding them substantially completely (except, e.g., for openingsfor filling in and dispensing the substance, for inserting containers orinserts, etc.), which plastic was applied around the two units with aninjection-molding method, blow-out method or rotation method. Thenegative for the tool corresponds with advantage to thethree-dimensional shape of the device of the invention.

In an alternate variant of the invention the receiving unit, dispensingunit and the part of the device comprising the outer shape are designedaltogether in one piece. In this extreme and simplest case the device ofthe invention can consist of only one element if possible insert and/orclosures, that will be discussed further below, are disregarded. In thisinstance the receiving unit and the dispensing unit are formed from theinner walls of the device.

In another alternative the device is substantially designed as a hollowbody into which the receiving unit and the dispensing unit are, e.g.,suspended or clipped in. The hollow body can be designed, e.g., to besubstantially rigid or also inflatable.

It is advantageous and preferable if the surfaces of the device comingin contact with the substance to be administered are designed to befood-resistant. Accordingly, the receiving unit, if it is provided forbeing directly filled with the substance, as well as the dispensing unitand/or one or several inserts for the receiving unit and/or thedispensing unit are provided at least on the appropriate contactsurfaces with a food-resistant material. A suitable coating can be usedfor this purpose. Alternatively, solid materials can be used, e.g.,glass, porcelain and/or a suitable plastic. Aluminum or high-grade steelcan also be used.

However the entire device can also be manufactured from one or severalof the previously cited materials.

Alternatively, the device elements not coming in contact with thesubstance consist of materials that are not absolutely food-resistant,e.g., appropriate plastic, cellulose, ceramic material, wood or thelike; however, metals, including fine-grade steel and aluminum, can alsobe used. It is especially advantageous if the device part with the outershape is substantially manufactured from these materials in as far as itdoes not make appreciable contact with the substance to be administered.

It is especially advantageous if the receiving unit can be designed witha first closure unit in a reversibly closable manner. The first closureunit can close in particular a receiving opening or a filling opening ofthe receiving unit so that in this manner the substance or an insert orcontainer containing the substance, that is provided for beingintroduced into the receiving unit or into an appropriately designedinsert, can not flow or fall out of the device.

It is also possible to design the dispensing opening with a secondreversibly closable closure unit. This can effectively prevent fluidstill present in the device from running out. Upon anotheradministration the second closure unit can be removed again.

The first and/or the second closure unit are preferably designed as acover, plug, movable closure unit or as a self-closing unit. The covercan be threaded, for example. The first or the second closure unit canalternatively be opened and/or closed by actuating a button or switch orthe like. The closure unit can have a round or square form or some othersuitable form. It can also be designed as a pacifier or the like.

If the cited receiving opening of the receiving unit is identical withthe dispensing opening of the dispensing device, the first and thesecond closure units can also be identical.

It can also be provided that the first and/or the second closure unit(s)is/are integrated into the second and/or the first closure unit(s). Forexample, the first closure unit can be designed as a screwable cover inwhich, for example, a, e.g., shiftable or rotatable second closure unitis integrated for freeing and closing the dispensing opening. Such adesign is known, e.g., from commercial drinking bottles for children.

The device in accordance with the invention is especially preferablydesigned for administering liquid as well as gaseous substances. To thisend the receiving unit can be closed with different closure units, inwhich case one closure unit can advantageously be used for dispensingliquid substances and another closure unit can advantageously be usedfor dispensing gaseous substances from a gas-tight container inserted inthe receiving unit. Moreover, when administering a liquid, it can beplaced, e.g., directly into the receiving unit or also into areplaceable insert or container, whereas the gaseous substance to beadministered and located in a gas container can be introduced into anappropriately adapted insert or directly into the receiving unit.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first and/or the second closureunit or units and an insert or a container can be connected to eachother, e.g., plugged in to each other, so that this combination can beintroduced as an entire unit into the receiving unit or the dispensingunit. Alternatively, the first or the second dispensing unit and aninsert or a container are designed in one piece.

The device of the invention preferably comprises a transport device thattransports the substance to be administered to the dispensing openingupon active actuation by the user. In addition, it is necessary,especially when administering medicine in most instances, to preciselydose the amount to be dispensed. Accordingly, there is the possibilityof making an appropriate dosing with the transport device.

In an embodiment of the invention that is advantageous in thisconnection the transport can be realized with the aid of a pumpmechanism. Such a mechanism is known, e.g., from inhaler sprays usedwith asthma patients.

When administering, e.g., pulpy foods the transport device can bedesigned as a manually operable piston that can shift in particular inthe receiving unit.

An alternative pump mechanism can be realized if the walls of thereceiving unit are designed to be flexible so that the substance to beadministered can escape from the receiving unit via the dispensingopening upon being appropriately loaded with pressure, preferablyexerted with the fingers.

In an advantageous embodiment the transport device is integrated atleast partially in the first closure unit. For example, an actuatingelement extends past the first closure element and can be pressed downin order to administer the substance. Upon such an actuation a part of acontainer inserted into the receiving unit or the entire container ismoved downward so that an opening that is preferably on the containerbottom is freed through which, e.g., an aerosol can exit from thecontainer and be orally applied via the dispensing opening. Variousgenerally known constructions can be used for such a pump mechanism.Note in this connection, e.g., the known aerosol containers for theabove-mentioned ingestion of, e.g., asthma agents.

The plurality of shapes for the three-dimensional outer form of thedevice can be expanded if the dispensing unit comprises a hollow lineconnecting the receiving unit and the dispensing unit to one another.For example, the hollow line can then be provided in the elephant trunkif the device of the invention has the shape of an elephant. This alsoincludes embodiments in which the hollow line establishes a connectionbetween an insert and/or container that can be inserted into thereceiving unit and between the dispensing opening.

In order to prevent residual liquid from running out of the device thehollow line is designed so that it runs upward at least in sectionstoward the dispensing opening when the device is placed on a horizontalsurface. There is a possibility in this instance that at least theconduit section located directly in front of the dispensing opening hasthis upward course. It can be sufficient if this section has only aslight rise of a few degrees relative to the horizontal. When a liquidsubstance is used, residual amounts of the substance cannot run forwardor drop out.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one flow regulating meansarranged in the device is provided for preventing an undesired exitingof the substance from the dispensing opening. Such a flow regulatingmeans can be opened in a preferred embodiment of the invention bypressure and/or suction so that the substance can flow in the directionof the dispensing opening. If there is no pressure or suction the flowregulating means blocks the dispensing of the substance. A suction canbe applied, e.g., by introducing the dispensing opening into the mouthand by a subsequent sucking. A loading with pressure can be realized,e.g., by the above-described pump mechanism.

In a related special embodiment of the invention a flow regulating meansis designed as a thin membrane (like a soft palate) that can bedeflected by pressure and/or suction and can be arranged with preferencein the hollow line. The membrane can remain untouched, e.g., during themanufacture of the hollow line by milling from the one side and of thereceiving unit from the other side as a separating element between thesetwo.

Alternatively, flow regulating means that can be actuated especially byhand can be realized, e.g., slides that can block, e.g., the hollowline. Likewise, a flow regulating means can be coupled to theabove-cited transport devices. When the transport device is actuated,e.g., a valve can be opened.

It can also be advantageous to provide sealing means that prevent thefluid to be administered from passing to undesired locations in thereceiving unit. Such locations can be present in particular in thereceiving unit if an insert or container is used so that the substancedoes not come in direct contact with the walls of the receiving unit. Itis then the goal to assure that the substance passes via the shortestpath to the dispensing opening and is not distributed in the receivingunit or seeps into cracks [scratches]. It is therefore advantageous touse, e.g., O-rings that rest on the one hand on the inner wall of thereceiving unit and on the other hand on the outer wall of an insert orof a container.

A simple means of handling the device can be realized, e.g., if thereceiving unit or an insert or container inserted in it can be filledfrom above with the substance when the device is placed on a horizontalsurface.

It is particularly advantageous if the entire device is designed to bewashing-machine-resistant and reusable. This assures on the one hand asimple handling and cleaning of the device. One the other hand apermanent emotional bond of the child to the particular figure or devicecan develop.

The above-cited replaceable elements, that can be designed as receivingunit, dispensing unit and/or as inserts for these units, representseparate aspects of the invention. Even the closure units can bedesigned as replaceable parts or additional parts or accessories. Thecited parts can be removed if damaged or unattractive and be replaced bynew inserts without having to dispose of the entire device.

Likewise, the use of a device such as described above for theadministration of medical substances and/or foods to children is acomponent of the present invention.

Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized by thefeatures of the subclaims.

The invention is explained in detail in the following using the figures.

FIGS. 1-4 show different views of a device in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 5, 6 show a side view and a perspective view of a device inaccordance with the invention in partial section.

FIGS. 7, 8 show a sectional side view through a part of a device inaccordance with the invention with a gas container inserted in an insertand with a transport device (non actuated: FIG. 7; actuated: FIG. 8).

FIG. 9 shows the insert according to FIGS. 7, 8.

FIGS. 10, 11 show a section through a part of a device in accordancewith the invention with a liquid substance inserted in an insert andwith a transport device (non actuated: FIG. 10; actuated: FIG. 11).

FIG. 12 shows a section through a part of a device in accordance withthe invention with an insert for the receiving unit and one for thedispensing unit.

FIG. 13 shows a section through a part of a device in accordance withthe invention with a transport device surrounding a piston.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a device 1 in accordance with the invention indifferent perspectives that has the outer shape of a sitting elephant.In FIG. 1 device 1 is shown grasped by a hand and the fingers of thehand grasp the elephant on its front feet 19 a and in the neck and earrange 19 b. Receiving unit 2 schematically shown in FIG. 3 and designedin a substantially cylindrical manner is arranged in the area of theelephant's head. A substantially horizontal hollow line 9 starts fromthe lower area of receiving unit 2, runs in trunk 19 c of the elephantand is provided on its free end with dispensing opening 8. A receivingopening 6 in the upper area of receiving unit 2 can be reversibly closedwith a first closure unit 7. When closure unit 7 is removed, receivingunit 2 can be filled with a liquid substance. Alternatively, a gascontainer can be inserted in receiving unit 2 for which an appropriatelydesigned fitting device 3 is provided (indicated only schematically).

Transport device 20 is integrated into first closure unit 7 with whichdevice a certain amount of substance can be administered from receivingunit 2 or a container inserted therein via hollow line 9 and dispensingopening 9. Hollow line section 9 a arranged directly in front ofdispensing opening 9 runs obliquely upwards when device 1 has beenplaced on a horizontal surface in order to prevent the substance fromrunning out and/or dropping out of device 1.

FIG. 3 schematically indicates that according to an especially preferredembodiment of the invention an oral administration can take place. Inthe example shown a child takes trunk 19 c into his mouth M while hisschematically represented lips preferably surround trunk 19 c includingthe dispensing opening. Device 1 should be tilted, if necessary, towardsthe face during the administration in order that in particular a liquidsubstance can completely pass into mouth M.

Device 1 shown in FIGS. 5, 6 is designed in a manner quite similar tothat of FIGS. 1-4. First closure unit 7 comprises sealing ring 7 a onthe bottom on its circumference, which ring seals receiving opening 6 ofreceiving unit 2 and imparts a reliable seat to closure unit 7. A secondclosure unit 5 is designed as a pacifier and connected to the elephant'sbody by loss guard 5 a designed as a band, chain or the like (here as aneck band).

The first and/or the second closure unit 7, 5 can also comprise an inneror outer threading that can accordingly be screwed to an outer threadingor an inner threading in the area of receiving opening 6 or ofdispensing unit 8. Other closure units are also possible, e.g., closureunits that can be closed and opened by shifting, engaging or by someother actuation.

Receiving unit 2 and dispensing unit 4 are designed in one piece inaccordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5, 6 andadvantageously manufactured from a food-resistant material, preferablyan appropriate plastic, high-grade steel or aluminum. Alternatively, theinner surfaces of receiving unit 2 and of dispensing unit 4 can beprovided with a coating of a food-resistant material.

Plastic material 17 is arranged positively and non-positively aroundreceiving unit 2 and dispensing unit 4. Plastic 17 has the outer contourof device 1 of the invention, that is, in the present instance that of atoy elephant. Plastic 17 is preferably applied around receiving unit 2and dispensing unit 4 by an injection-molding method, blow-out method orrotation method. A relatively soft plastic is preferably used in orderthat the toy-like nature of the device is more evident and that it isbetter accepted emotionally by children.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a section of a device in accordance with theinvention in section, again designed as an elephant figure, foradministering a gaseous substance S. A substantially cylindrical insert10 is inserted in receiving unit 2 into which insert a likewisesubstantially cylindrical gas container 25 is placed. Substance S to beadministered, e.g., an aerosol, is enclosed in gas container 25. Inaddition, transport device 20 is integrated into first closure unit 70in order to be able to administer substance S actively and, ifnecessary, in a precisely dosed amount. The first closure unit 70 isscrewed in the instance shown to the upper edge of receiving unit 2(indicated only schematically).

FIG. 9 shows insert 10 more precisely. It is open at the top in order tobe able to insert container 25. In addition, insert 10 comprisesintermediate bottom 14 just above its lower edge 15. This intermediatebottom 14 comprises central opening 12 that is advantageously lowered(intermediate bottom 14 with lowered opening 12 corresponds to fittingdevice 3 indicated only schematically in FIG. 3). Recess 13 is providedin the wall section between intermediate bottom 14 and lower edge 15.Moreover, two annular grooves 11 spaced at an interval in thelongitudinal direction of insert 10 and inwardly directed are providedabove intermediate bottom 14 (see FIGS. 7, 8; omitted in FIG. 9 for thesake of clarity).

Gas container 25, that is filled with the gas or aerosol, preferablycommercially available and filled, e.g., with an asthma spray, isdesigned to be inserted into insert 10. Lower edge 26 of container 25 iswidened out on the circumferential side in such a manner that it isslightly wider than the inner diameter of the two annular grooves 11 ofinsert 10. Thus, container 25 must be inserted (and removed) into andout of insert 10 with a slight application of force in order thatwidened-out edge 26 can overcome the narrow point defined by upperannular groove 11. Container 25 is subsequently supported in insert 10where its freedom of play is given in the axial direction by theinterval of the two annular grooves 11. Container 25 comprises centralvalve 27 on its bottom that opens under pressure and allows gaseoussubstance S to escape. Valve 27 is arranged centrally and above opening12 of intermediate bottom 14 when container 25 is inserted.

Already-cited transport device 20 is provided in order to administersubstance S. It comprises in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS.7, 8 pushbutton 21 connected to rod 22 whose other free end is fastenedto stamp 24. Rod 22 extends through a central recess in first closureunit 70 and is surrounded in the upper section by spiral spring 23 thatserves to exert pressure from below on pushbutton 21 and is supported inrecess 70 b of closure unit 70. Stamp 24 is in contact with the top ofgas container 25.

When the pushbutton is actuated with a finger F (see FIG. 8), stamp 24is pressed down against the spring force of spring 21 and therewithcontainer 25 is pressed down also, which opens valve 27, as is indicatedonly schematically, and allows gas to pass from container 25 throughopening 12 in intermediate bottom 14, through recess 13 (shown in dottedlines in FIGS. 7, 7) and through hollow line 9 to dispensing opening 8.Container 24 is brought back into its initial position (see FIG. 7)after pushbutton 21 is let loose by means of an internal, not-shownspring in container 25 or also by return means (also not shown) arrangedin insert 10.

A thin membrane functioning as flow regulating means 30 is arranged inthe transition area from receiving unit 2 to hollow line 9. Thismembrane blocks hollow line 9 when transport device 20 is not actuated(FIG. 7) whereas when transport device 20 is actuated, the membrane israised by the gas flow (FIG. 8). The membrane can also be raised bysuction from dispensing opening 8. Such a membrane 30 can beadvantageous, if other blocking means are not present, in particularwhen administering liquids.

Sealing means 32 designed as an O-ring is provided between the outerwall of insert 10 and the inner wall of receiving unit 2 directly abovehollow line 9 in lower annular groove 11. This sealing means prevents apenetration of the gas (FIGS. 7, 8) or of a liquid to be administered(FIGS. 10, 11) into the upper part of receiving unit 2.

FIGS. 10, 11 show an example of administering a liquid. To this end thedevice according to FIGS. 7, 8 is also preferably used, butadvantageously with another first closure unit 170 and another insert110, which closure unit 170 and insert 110 are designed in one piece inthe present instance. Insert 110 is again designed substantiallycylindrically and comprises, like the insert according to FIG. 9, anintermediate bottom 114, central opening 112 and a lower recess 113.Moreover, opening 116, indicated in dotted lines, is provided in anupper area of insert 110 in order to pour a liquid substance S into theinner chamber of the insert.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 10, 11 a substantially elongatedcylinder 128 is provided instead of a stamp. Cylinder 128 is connectedat one of its ends to rod 122 fastened for its part (see FIGS. 7, 8) topushbutton 121 loaded by spring 123. Constriction 128 a on thecircumferential side is provided in the area of the other end ofcylinder 128. In contrast thereto, free end 128 b of cylinder 128 widensout again and has a slightly larger diameter than opening 112 inintermediate bottom 114. Free end 128 b can also be designed to beconical in order to assure a better seal of opening 112 when pushbutton121 is not actuated, see FIG. 10. Thus, cylinder 128 constitutes a valvedesigned as a flow regulating means similar to valve 27 for gas isaccording to FIGS. 7, 8.

In order to use the device according to FIGS. 10, 11 a liquid substanceS is filled through opening 116 into the inner chamber of insert 110when insert 110 (including closure unit 170, pushbutton 121, cylinder128) has been removed from receiving unit 2, during which pushbutton 121is not actuated. Then, insert 110 is inserted into receiving unit 2 andclosure unit 170 screwed on. Dispensing opening 8 can now be introducedinto the mouth of the child and pushbutton 121 pressed down. Substance Snow flows through the opening annular slot between constriction 128 aand opening 112 and can be sucked up by the child. Alternatively oradditionally, the entire device can be tilted in order that substance Scan flow to dispensing opening 8. Even this embodiment thus makes use ofa valve action so that membrane 30, that is also shown, is likewise notabsolutely necessary. A difference between the two embodiments accordingto FIGS. 7 and 8 on the one hand and FIGS. 10 and 11 on the other handconsists in that in the case of the latter the liquid substance S is notactively transported when pushbutton 121 is actuated but rather onlyopening 112 is freed for the liquid.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 12 a cylindrical insert 35 is placedinto receiving unit 2. In addition, a second insert 37 is pushed intohollow line 9 of dispensing opening 4 from dispensing opening 8. Thesecond insert 37 comprises an outer thread on its end facing dispensingunit 4 which thread is screwed to a corresponding inner thread in lowerarea 39 of first insert 35. Other types of connection are also possible,e.g., a plug connection or a bayonet closure. A substance to beadministered makes contact only with replaceable first and secondinserts 35, 37 here. Any closure unit for receiving unit 2 and/ordispensing unit 4 as well as any transport devices are not shown.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment designed in particular for theadministration of pulpy foods S. The same device 1 as previouslydescribed can be used here. However, a transport device 220 with apiston 224 integrated into a first closure unit 270 is provided herewhich piston is fastened to piston rod 222 whose other free end extendsbeyond closure unit 270 and is fastened to pushbutton 221 loaded byspring 223. For administration, the pap is placed into receiving unit 2and closure unit 270 placed on; rubber ring 270 a is provided forsecurity. A slow pressing down of pushbutton 221 causes piston 224 tomove downward and presses pulpy substance S through hollow line 9 to thedispensing opening.

The surfaces of the elements shown in the figures that come in contactwith a substance to be administered are preferably manufactured fromfood-resistant materials or have a food-resistant coating. Appropriateplastic, glass, porcelain, high-great steel and aluminum areparticularly suitable to this end. The device is preferably designed tobe washing-machine-resistant.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown in thefigures. For example, more than one receiving unit and/or one dispensingunit can also be provided. Several hollow lines and several dispensingopenings can also be present.

Thus, the device in accordance with the invention makes it possible todispense liquid, gaseous or also powdery medicaments and foods includingchildren's pap and other thick and foods in a manner which is simple andin particular suitable for children.

1. A device for administering or for ingesting fluid or powderysubstances (S) to a person, especially medical substances and/or food tochildren, with a receiving unit (2) for receiving the substance (S) tobe administered and with a dispensing unit (4) connected to thereceiving unit (2) which dispensing unit comprises a dispensing opening(8) for dispensing the substance (S) to the person, which device (1) hasat least in parts an outer form not directly functionally related to theadministration. 2-44 (canceled)